About
San DiegoSan Diego offers an exciting array of
attractions and activities--so many, you'll find it hard to see and do
everything!

ACTIVITIESWater plays a big part in this great
international playground--the Pacific Ocean, impressive bays, and many
lakes. There are also mountains and deserts in San Diego County. And, of
course, the colorful variety of Mexico is just across the border. Here are
some samples listed below:

BALBOA PARK,
1,074 acres in the heart of San Diego, blends unique architecture and lush
foliage with a variety of museums, theaters, fountains, and recreation.

CALIFORNIA'S FIRST MISSION
is San Diego de Alcala, open daily to visitors. From here, Father Serra
ventured north to establish a chain of 21 missions.

CABRILLO NATIONAL MONUMENTon
the tip of Point Loma
has a spectacular view
of one of the world's great natural harbors and the city spread out beyond. The
historic lighthouse on the same grounds was first lighted in 1855 and is now
a museum. An overlook provides a view of the annual migration of California
gray whales as they pass by during winter months.

THE DESERT
offers a unique beauty that is in contrast to San Diego's water attractions.
Each spring the desert comes alive with brilliant displays of wild flowers.

DRAMATIC SKYLINE
sits like a sparkling string of jewels along San Diego's
waterfront.
There's a freshly scrubbed look about this bright and attractive city.

GOLF
is a year-round sport in San Diego, and there are over 70 courses, from
coastline to desert, that offer all the challenge even the most avid golfer
could want.

HANG GLIDING
is another popular sport in San Diego. The bluffs off the coast of La Jolla
make this part of the country one of the best locations for hang gliders and
sailplanes. On clear days, the sky west of the UCSD campus is filled with
gliders. Only a ten minute walk away, the Glider Port provides for thrilling
viewing of these sports.

HORSE
RACING
at Del Mar each summer and Tijuana's Agua Caliente on weekends. One of many
major sports that make this a sports capital.

MAGNIFICENT COASTLINE,
stretching along San Diego County and Mexico, offers hundreds of miles of
wide beaches, cliffs, parks, surfing, and swimming.

MEXICO,
just 15 miles from downtown San Diego, provides shopping and dining
delights, plus such colorful international touches as bullfights and jai
alai.

MOUNTAINS & LAKES,
some at mile-high altitudes, provide a change of pace for your San Diego
stay. Fishing is excellent in most of the area's many lakes.

MT.
PALOMAR'S
200-inch Hale Telescope, America's largest, may be viewed from visitors'
gallery. The drive up the 'Highway to the Stars' offers beautiful views.

OLD
TOWN,
where San Diego began more than 200 years ago, is still very much alive
today with restaurants, colorful shops, historic old adobes, and museums.

SAN DIEGO ZOO,
one of the world's finest, exhibits thousands of fascinating wild animals,
birds, and reptiles in a semitropical, jungle-like 100-acre park.

SEA WORLD
in Mission Bay features Shamu the killer whale and a
whole lot more in 100 acres of beautiful landscaping: dolphins, walruses,
sharks, seals, otters.

SERRA MUSEUM,
in Presidio Park on the hill above Old Town, is a picturesque window to San
Diego's past. Displays include articles from nearby excavations.

STAR OF INDIA,
a floating museum that is part of maritime history, stands proudly along the
embarcadero. She's the oldest merchant sailing ship still afloat.

WILD ANIMAL PARK
is the next best thing to going on safari. Endangered species run free and
reproduce successfully in 1,800 acres of natural environment.

EVERYTHING'S NEARBYIn addition to San Diego's many attractions,
visitors find it easy to go north to Disneyland, only 90 miles away, or
other Los Angeles areas, about 120 miles. To the east, the mountains are
about an hour away and the desert about two hours. With the excellent
freeway networks, travel by car is easy, but many opt for travel by air,
rail, or bus. San Diego also has a new trolley system that runs throughout
the city from East to West.back
to top

SAN DIEGO WEATHERCasual
is the key word for San Diego. Wear
what's
comfortable for you. A few restaurants
require coats
and ties for
gentlemen,
but a vast majority
welcome casual dress.

For winter, topcoats are a rarity, but a
sweater is a necessity. Evenings are always cool, even in the summer. The
coldest
weather
occurs in January, when average temperatures range from a low of 47.5
degrees at night to a high of 63 degrees during the day. August is the
warmest month with average temperatures ranging from 64 degrees at night to
74.5 degrees during the day.

TRANSPORTATIONGetting around San Diego will require some
means of transportation. Here are some choices:

Bicycle:
Having a bicycle is a convenient and inexpensive mode of transportation,
especially if you live close to campus. You may also ride your bike to a Bus stop and several local buses have a bike rack
built on the back of their buses.

Personal Vehicle
You may be asking yourself, "Should I purchase an automobile?" This is an
important decision, requiring careful thought and
consideration. There are several responsibilities and requirements in
driving and owning a motor vehicle. The costs
are always more than they appear at first.
Click here for more
information.

San
Diego Transit:
There is a fairly extensive trolley and bus system in San Diego. For information, check
the web page for the
San Diego Transit or call them at 238-0100.
Bus schedules can be
found in the Campus
Activities
office.